In 2010, Nicaragua and Costa Rica engaged in a territorial dispute over a border area near the Río San Juan, with Nicaragua positioning troops on Isla Portillos, which Costa Rica claimed as its territory.

The conflict was fueled by conflicting interpretations of the 1858 Laudo Cleveland border agreement, which left ambiguities about the exact location of the border.Nicaragua argued that satellite imagery from Google Maps supported its claim, while Costa Rica insisted the maps were inaccurate.The dispute escalated diplomatically, with the Organization of American States and the International Court of Justice (ICJ) intervening.The ICJ ultimately ruled in favor of Costa Rica, leading to the withdrawal of Nicaraguan troops and a finalized border demarcation in 2018.The incident highlights how outdated or contested geographic data can spark real-world conflicts, even in the digital age.Google Maps, despite its utility, remains a contentious tool in border disputes due to its reliance on potentially outdated or disputed sources.The resolution underscores the importance of legal frameworks and international diplomacy in resolving territorial conflicts.